Elite Redux Ability Codex

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Purgatory - Ability ID 458 ​

In-Game Description ​

"Boosts Ghost-type moves by 1.3x, or 1.8x when below 1/3 HP."

Extended In-Game Description ​

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Purgatory boosts Ghost-type moves by 1.3x power normally, increasing to 1.8x when the Pokémon is below 1/3 of its maximum HP. This ability combines type specialization with a pinch effect, making Ghost-types increasingly dangerous as they take damage. Excellent for late-game sweeps.

Character count: 292

Detailed Mechanical Explanation ​

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics ​

Purgatory is an offensive ability that provides a damage boost to Ghost-type moves, with an enhanced effect when the user is at low health. This ability combines the concepts of type-boosting abilities (like Blaze) with the pinch activation mechanic of Swarm-like abilities.

Activation Conditions ​

  • Move type requirement: Only affects Ghost-type moves
  • HP threshold:
    • Normal boost: 1.3x multiplier when above 1/3 HP
    • Pinch boost: 1.8x multiplier when at or below 1/3 HP
  • Timing: Applied during damage calculation before other multipliers

Damage Calculation ​

c
// Purgatory implementation using BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER macro
if (moveType == TYPE_GHOST) {
    if (gBattleMons[battler].hp <= (gBattleMons[battler].maxHP / 3))
        MUL(1.8);  // 80% boost at low HP
    else
        MUL(1.3);  // 30% boost at normal HP
}

Technical Implementation ​

  • Macro: Uses BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER(TYPE_GHOST)
  • Function: onOffensiveMultiplier callback
  • HP check: Exact calculation is hp <= maxHP / 3
  • Type check: Only applies to TYPE_GHOST moves
  • Stacking: Multiplies with other damage modifiers

Important Interactions ​

  • STAB stacking: Multiplies with Same Type Attack Bonus (1.5x)
  • Item bonuses: Stacks with type-boosting items like Spell Tag
  • Weather effects: Combines with weather-based damage modifiers
  • Stat stages: Applied after Attack stat modifications
  • Critical hits: Multiplies with critical hit damage
  • Type effectiveness: Applied before type effectiveness calculations

HP Threshold Details ​

  • Activation point: Exactly 1/3 of maximum HP or below
  • Real-time: Checked each time a Ghost-type move is used
  • Healing interaction: Boost changes if healed above threshold
  • Damage interaction: Boost activates if damaged below threshold

Strategic Applications ​

  • Pinch sweeping: Becomes extremely dangerous at low HP
  • Risk/reward: Encourages aggressive play at low health
  • Late-game power: Excellent for cleaning up weakened teams
  • Suicide leads: Can be used on frail Ghost-types for immediate pressure
  • Revenge killing: Perfect for coming in after a teammate faints

Move Synergies ​

  • Shadow Ball: High-power special Ghost move
  • Poltergeist: Physical Ghost move that can destroy items
  • Phantom Force: Two-turn move with semi-invulnerability
  • Shadow Sneak: Priority Ghost move for finishing
  • Hex: Doubles power against statused targets
  • Shadow Claw: High critical hit ratio physical move

Type Coverage ​

Ghost-type moves are:

  • Super effective: Against Psychic and Ghost types
  • Not very effective: Against Dark types
  • No effect: Against Normal types (unless ability like Scrappy)
  • Neutral: Against all other types

Competitive Usage ​

  • Offensive sweepers: Ideal for fast, frail Ghost-types
  • Wallbreakers: Enhanced power helps break through bulky targets
  • Endgame cleaners: Devastating at low HP against weakened teams
  • Sash users: Pairs well with Focus Sash for guaranteed pinch activation
  • Substitute users: Can safely get to low HP behind Substitute

Common Users ​

  • Fast Ghost-type sweepers
  • Frail but powerful Ghost-types
  • Mixed attackers with Ghost-type coverage
  • Pokémon with access to powerful Ghost-type moves
  • Suicide leads that can threaten immediately

Ability Comparisons ​

  • vs Adaptability: Purgatory gives higher boost at pinch (1.8x vs 2.0x STAB)
  • vs Swarm: Same mechanic but affects Ghost moves instead of Bug
  • vs Blaze/Torrent: Similar pinch concept but with normal boost baseline
  • vs Rivalry: More consistent than gender-dependent boosts

Counters and Limitations ​

  • Type immunity: Normal types are immune to Ghost moves
  • Dark types: Resist Ghost-type moves
  • Ability suppression: Mold Breaker, Neutralizing Gas disable ability
  • HP management: Opponent can avoid low HP range with careful play
  • Move restriction: Only affects Ghost-type moves
  • Prediction: Opponent can play around the HP threshold

Synergistic Abilities ​

  • Levitate: Immunity to Ground moves helps preserve HP
  • Magic Guard: Prevents indirect damage for HP control
  • Sturdy: Guarantees survival to 1 HP for maximum boost
  • Multiscale: Reduces damage when healthy to preserve HP range

Item Synergies ​

  • Focus Sash: Guarantees low HP activation
  • Spell Tag: Stacks with Purgatory for massive Ghost move power
  • Life Orb: Additional power boost (with recoil to reach pinch)
  • Leftovers: HP management to stay in optimal range
  • Sitrus Berry: Emergency healing to escape dangerous HP range

Version History ​

  • New ability introduced in Elite Redux
  • Uses the established BOOSTED_SWARM_MULTIPLIER framework
  • Part of the expanded ability roster for enhanced gameplay depth
  • Designed to give Ghost-types a unique offensive niche

Calculation Examples ​

Example 1: Gengar with Purgatory using Shadow Ball

  • Base power: 80
  • STAB: 80 × 1.5 = 120
  • Purgatory (healthy): 120 × 1.3 = 156
  • Purgatory (pinch): 120 × 1.8 = 216

Example 2: With Spell Tag

  • Base power: 80
  • STAB: 80 × 1.5 = 120
  • Spell Tag: 120 × 1.2 = 144
  • Purgatory (pinch): 144 × 1.8 = 259.2 effective power

Elite Redux Ability Codex

Elite Redux Development Team